Machine generated contents note: pt. I Royalty versus reality 1.`When the legends die, all collapses' Thailand's political awakening 2.`In a never-never land, never mind' Welcome to the Land of Smiles 3.`Cosmological bluster' The dramatics of despotism pt. II Thai-style democracy and its discontents 4.`Our country belongs to the people not to the king' Thailand's unfinished revolution 5.`I really am an elected king' The royalist revival 6.`There is magic, goodness and power in his heart' The deification of Rama IX pt. III The secrets of succession 7.`Endless struggles for the throne' The causes of chronic palace conflict 8.`One neither walks, speaks, drinks, eats, nor cooks without some kind of ceremony' The pleasures and privations of being king 9.`I cannot afford to die' The tragedy of King Bhumibol pt. IV Crisis and confrontation 10.`Living in horrifying times' Twilight of the oligarchy Contents note continued: 11.`Coupmakers' haunted dreams' Escalation and enlightenment 12.`Returning happiness to the people' Denying democracy, sabotaging succession Epilogue: `Flip on the lights and flush out the ghosts' What the future holds.

English